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The stairs also double as a seating platform.

The architect considers this the "heart of the house, where all of our valuable possessions, from books, to movies, to records, are stored," he says.

A soaring tower of shelves crafted from Shinnoki pre-finished wood panels in the "Ivory Oak" color now form the family library.

The headboard was built from three pieces of prefinished maple plywood that cost $80 each. “We’re obsessive about measurements because everything you transport in has to go back out if it’s not used,” says Jeff.

Molly and Jeff wanted their guests to have creature comforts, so early on they built an outdoor shower that’s illuminated by string lights at night.

Inside, nods to naval architecture continue with wood-clad walls and ceilings, as well as a simple yet functional use of space. Black fixtures and trim accentuate the angular shapes.

A ship-like ladder off the kitchen wall gives access to a small nook nestled under the apex of the angled roof. An inset piece of wooden artwork depicts the region's terrain.

Stairs lead down to the home's three private bedrooms, as well as a dorm-like sleeping area and a small recreation space.

Part of Kao's solution was a three-story atrium, which features a Cor-Ten steel sculpture by local artist Melissa MacDonald. The floor lamp is by Frank Lloyd Wright.

The master bedroom offers a bird’s-eye view of Wildcat Mountain to the west.

“We did a lot of things for us that some clients are hesitant to do, like shou sugi ban. Our idea is that the house and materials will weather over time. They will change, but that’s part of the beauty of it,” says Maria. Here, the double wall lamps are by DCW Editions. Real Good Chairs in copper line by Blu Dot surround the wooden table by Ethnicraft.

Paola Lenti furniture in rich navy and burgundy tones outfit the reimagined backyard, which also features chiseled retaining walls by a local stonemason. Japanese maple trees add to the zen-like atmosphere.

Solar panels provide power for the two cabins.

Off-Grid Guesthouse by Anacapa Architecture

The unique, handcrafted fireplace was installed where the original had long since been removed.

The masonry used for the extension is coal-fired—a process that adds vibrant light and dark shades to the bricks.

The rear extension uses black Petersen bricks that reflect the materiality of the original building, but with a contemporary twist that gives the volume its own visual identity.

Just like the interior, the outdoor shower is an exercise in reduction and contrast: It’s merely a boulder placed under a showerhead on the side of the building. “If you really strain your eyes, you can see perhaps one other house,” Cheshire says of the vista.